Treaty Oak Distilling Launches Whiskey and Gin Portfolio in 7 States

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas — Treaty Oak Distilling, a vanguard distillery that has been at the leading-edge of the small spirits movement for over a decade, is ready to reach new heights. Founded in 2006 by Daniel Barnes, this talented team of rebels have a clear cause – to make the best spirits that purposefully break from convention in order to create something new, or even curious. Comprised of distillers, sommeliers, botanists and architects, the crew draws inspiration from the past, but also the world around them.

“We strive to strike the perfect balance between heritage and innovation,” said Daniel Barnes, founder of Treaty Oak Distilling. “Our willingness to be different based on knowledge and expertise is what sets us apart.”

Until now, the company’s award-winning portfolio of hand-crafted whiskey and gin has been one of the best kept secrets in Texas. But, thanks to a new partnership with Mahalo Spirits Group, a leading craft spirits sales organization, the upstart brand is set to make its mark on the spirits industry, by expanding its U.S. footprint beyond Texas into seven new markets, including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, and Virginia.

The Treaty Oak portfolio – from the most awarded distillery in Texas – includes three expressions each of whiskey and gin. The team carefully balances tradition vs. experimentation, and when possible, use local resources, including limestone filtered Texas spring water. In partnership with James Brown, (who is on the forefront of the heirloom grain movement), the team sources corn, wheat, and malted barley from Barton Springs Mill, where 90% of grains are grown by Texas farmers using sustainable organic practices. But, they’re also transparent when sourcing from outside partners.

“We find the best of the best and make it better,” says Barnes. “There’s no shame in that. The only shame would be blatantly misleading our customers.”

In preparation for its U.S. expansion, Treaty Oak refreshed the look and feel of its website, company logo, and the various brand bottles and labels, with help from creative powerhouse Crispin Porter+Bogusky. The whiskey portfolio now features paint-dipped background colors and texture with a classic design, while the trio of gins include disruptive paint strokes over a delicate juniper stem wrapped in oak leaves.

Here’s a look at the Treaty Oak Distilling portfolio of products:

Red-Handed Bourbon ($39.99) – Featuring the team’s favorite sourced bourbons they “stole” from across the country, this, expression is an 80/20 blend of 2-year-old Oz Tyler Bourbon, Kentucky (70% corn, 21% rye, 9% barley) and 4-year-old Davis Valley Distillery Bourbon, Virginia (66% corn, 14% rye, 20% barley). Re-barreled for four additional years in new American Oak barrels and bottled at 95-proof, the bourbon reveals a woody, rich pepper aroma, cherry and crisp green apple flavors, and a spicy high rye finish. A Double Gold medal recipient from The Fifty Best, this is a bourbon worth stealing!

Red-Handed Rye ($64.99) – Sourced from the Schenely Distillery and aged 10 years at 100 proof, Red-Handed Rye is some of the best whiskey on the planet. This rare gem, which showcases a mashbill of 39% corn, 53% rye, 8% barley, provides a woody spice with rich pepper notes, balanced with hints of cherry and crisp green apple.

Ghost Hill Bourbon ($49.99) – Named after the original 28-acre ranch home in Dripping Springs, TX, this unique whiskey uses grains from Barton Springs Mill Yellow Texas No. 1 corn (53%) and Texas wheat (36%), plus 11% American barley. A genuine grain to glass bourbon, it’s mashed, fermented, distilled, barreled, aged and bottled on-site using local limestone filtered water, and then aged for four years under the hot Texas sun in first use American White Oak Char 3 barrels. At 95-proof, the expression features a subtle peaty aroma with soft oak and sweet corn flavors, and a mild spicy finish.

Waterloo No. 9 Gin ($24.99) – A recipient of the coveted “Gin Masters Award” in London amongst more than 300 entries, this New Western Style gin, (the first to be introduced in the state of Texas), pays homage to the original name for the city of Austin. No. 9 refers to the ninth expression the team selected from among 100 recipes. At 94 proof, the gin exhibits floral notes, hints of lavender, pecans and citrus (sourced locally from the Texas valley) with classic flavors of anise and juniper, for smooth finish. It’s a gin as big as Texas!

Waterloo Antique Gin ($29.99) – Cross over to the dark side with this gin made to drink like a whiskey and aged under the hot Texas sun in first use American White Oak Char 3 barrels for approximately two years. Flaunting a sweet floral and vanilla nose, the spirit reveals dark, herbal flavor notes from the local botanicals, and presents hints of nutmeg and leather, before a sweet-spicy cinnamon finish. Distilled to 94 proof and meant to be served neat, it is the longest aged gin on the market.

Waterloo Old Yaupon Gin ($24.99) – A unique take on an Old Tom Gin, this 90-proof gem features botanicals including yaupon holly (a tea leaf native to southeastern North America), juniper, kaffir lime, and licorice root, which are then back-sweetened with Wildflower Honey.

The Distillery

Located on a 28-acre ranch at 16604 Fitzhugh Road in Dripping Springs, Texas (approximately 25 miles south of Austin), Treaty Oak is open to the public Thursday and

Friday from 4-9pm, Saturday from 12-9, and Sunday from 12-6pm. The distillery offers tours on Saturdays from 1-6pm, which provides a behind the scenes look into the distilling process and history of Treaty Oak. Admission for a 30-minute tour is $15 and includes a spirit tasting and a rotating seasonal cocktail. Reserve your spot here: www.treatyoakdistilling.com/tours. Walk-ins are accepted (subject to availability). For private tours, call (512) 599-0335. The facility also houses Ghost Hill Restaurant, a full kitchen and bar featuring Texas-centric food and beverage; The Cocktail Lab, where science meets the art of cocktailing; Rick House Bar, which is also available to rent for special events; a visitor center; The Bottle Shop, where guests can purchase brand gear and limited-edition whiskey expressions only available at the distillery; and family-friendly entertainment, including live music, yard games and a kids play area.

Treaty Oak products are now available in 750ml bottles at both on- and off-premise establishments in the following markets: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Retail prices may vary by market.

For more information, about Treaty Oak and its whiskey portfolio, visit treatyoakdistilling.com. Follow the brand on Facebook @TreatyOak and on Twitter and Instagram @TreatyOakTX

For more information about Waterloo Gin, visit www.waterloogin.com. Follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @waterloo.gin.usa

About Treaty Oak Distilling

Treaty Oak Distilling is a collective of distillers, sommeliers, botanists and architects based in Dripping Springs, Texas who are in pursuit of making the best spirits. They look to film, music, cultural exchange and beyond to push and fuel a path forward. Inspired by the world around them, they have crafted an unbound lineup of spirits: Ghost Hill Texas Bourbon, Red Handed Bourbon, Red Handed Rye Whiskey, Waterloo No.9 Gin, Waterloo Antique Gin and Waterloo Old Yaupon Gin. Connect with Treaty Oak Distilling on Facebook and Instagram. Drink responsibly.